Dispersive shock wave (DSW) solutions of the nematic equations (REF ) and () have been found in
the high nonlocality limit \(\nu \gg 1\) , which is the experimentally relevant limit [1]}, [2]}. It was found that there
are six distinct DSW types, see Figure REF . In contrast to previous work [3]}, [4]} the solutions
in these six regimes were found based on different asymptotic and approximate techniques appropriate for each regime. The
work of [3]} assumed that the DSW was of KdV type in all regimes, except the dam break case, while that of
[4]} assumed that the DSW solution was determined by a gas dynamics type shock, except in the dam break case.
The present work shows that the nematic DSW is more complicated than this, with the PDSW and TDSW regimes consisting of
(perturbed) KdV-type DSWs and the TDSW and VDSW regimes being determined by Whitham shocks in the appropriate Whitham modulation
equations. The CDSW regime is a transition between these two broad types. One novel feature of the present work is the use of
Whitham shocks for Whitham modulation equations, as pioneered by [7]}, validating ideas of Whitham
[8]}, [9]} when he first developed modulation theory. The nematic DSW shows a wider range of behaviours and
solution types than the equivalent resonant Kawahara DSW [10]}, [11]}. The DSW solutions for all six regimes show
excellent agreement with numerical solutions for the DSW itself (when it exists), the resonant wavetrain (when it exists) and
the intermediate level linking the backwards propagating expansion wave with the DSW or Whitham shock. The only exception is for
the wavenumber of the resonant wavetrain when this wavetrain is unstable, as would be expected.
